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Like other virtues, the one of which I speak propagates itself; and is, eminently, its own reward.

2 You will never accomplish much, either in study or in action, WITHOUT A LARGE

SHARE OF WHAT MAY BE CALLED DECISION

OF CHARACTER. By this quality, I mean, that bold, steady, persevering firmness of purpose, and ardour of pursuit, which stand opposed to timidity, indolence and irresolution-that unwavering confidence in the rectitude and importance of his pursuit, which prompts a man to press forward in it, with a constancy which nothing can shake; with a courage, which nothing can intimidate; and with a resolution which nothing can divert. This decision of character appeared, pre-eminently, in Luther, in Calvin, in Wesley, in Whitefield, in Howard, and in many other men, whose history and services will readily occur to your recollection. It led them to surmount opposition, to brave dangers, to undergo the most indefatigable labour, to fulfil their engagements with punctuality, whatever it might cost them to do so, and to pursue the object which conscience told them was right, without hesitation, and without turning to the right hand or the left, until it was attained.

There is nothing which a publick man needs more than a large portion of this spirit, im

pelled and regulated by christian principle. If he be feeble and wavering in his purposes; inconstant in his pursuits; easily discouraged, and diverted from them; and frequently persuaded to abandon undertakings ardently begun, and to enter on others, only to abandon them in like manner;-he may make many promises, and much noise; but he will do little. He will never be ready for his work; never punctual to his appointments; never either energetick or persevering in his exertions. If you are willing to be such a man, I altogether mistake your character. Yet thousands really bear this stamp, who are far from intending it. If you wish to do much for the church, and for your generation, be not obstinate, but be firm; be not blustering, but systematick, decisive, and persevering. Be deliberate and wise in resolving; but determined, unyielding, and indefatigable in execution. Do not let every idle individual, or eve ry trivial difficulty, break in upon your plans, or fritter away your time. Remember that your time is short; your work great; the necessities of immortal souls unspeakably urgent; and the judgment seat of Christ immediately in prospect. If you really act in the spirit of these considerations, you will accomplish more in a month, than a timid, pliant, irresolute, pro

crastinating man, however pious, in six months,

or a year.

3. Maintain the CONSTANT AND PERSEVERING HABIT OF EARLY RISING. This habit is conducive, to an extent which few appear to be aware of, to the health and activity, both of the body and of the mind. It has been often observed, that those who were remarkable for health and long life, have been almost always early risers. A disposition to lie long in bed in the morning,is at once,a symptom and a cause,of fee. ble digestion, of nervous debility, and of general languor. Whereas early rising is commonly connected with sound sleep; with elasticity of body and mind; and with habits of activity, which are greatly conducive both to health and comfort. Nor is this practice less conducive to success in mental improvement. It not only tends to give a daily spring to the mind, but also to make a very important addition to your studying hours. He who is called to engage in much mental exertion, and is, at the same time, liable to many interruptions, ought to make a point of securing several hours of unbroken study, before he will be liable to the calls of the earliest visitant. Often as the following remark of Dr. Doddridge has been repeated, I cannot forbear once more to transcribe it. "I will here record," says he, "the observation which I have found of great use

to myself, and to which I may say, that the production of this work, and most of my other writings is owing; viz. that the difference between rising at five and at seven of the clock in the morning, for a space of forty years, supposing a man to go to bed at the same hour at night, is nearly equivalent to the addition of ten years to a man's life, of which (supposing the two hours in question to be spent) eight hours every day should be employed in study and devotion." Let me exhort you, therefore, at all seasons of the year, to rise early; in winter before it is light, and in summer with the sun. In cold weather, kindle your own fire; and in warm, walk out, work in your garden; or in some other situation, exercise your limbs, and inhale the fresh air. Before you take your breakfast, you ought always to have spent, according to the season of the year, from one to two hours in devotion, in study, and in some active recreation in the open air.

You may rely upon it, that a faithful adherence to this course, though at first irksome, will be, in the end, pleasant; will be conducive to good health, and good spirits; and will enable you to accomplish far more of your appropriate work than can ever be accomplished by the tardy riser, who finds himself, the whole day, running and struggling, in vain, to regain the lost hours of the morning. But if you would be an

early riser, you must retire early to bed. These are correlative duties which cannot be separated.

4 Few young men that I have ever seen, appeared to me to have any just impression EITHER F THE IMPORTANCE, OR OF THE PROPER METHODS OF PRESERVING THEIR

HEALTH. My original intention was to devote a whole Letter to this subject: but finding the volume unexpectedly to swell und r my hands, and becoming more conscious, the longer I reflected on the subject, of my inability to do justice to it in detail, I shall content myself with a few short paragraphs.

There are two extremes to which young men are prone in relation to this matter. The one is, to imagine that the cita lel of their health is impregnable. That no care of it is necessary. That they may take any liberties with it, and lay any burdens upon it that they please. The other is, to suppose that great scrupulousness of attention to this subject is desirable. That a multitule of rigid cautions; a frequent resort to medicine; guarding against all exposure to cold and damp weather; much wrapping up, &c. &c., are indispensable. He who acts upon either of these plans, will probably soon render himself a miserable invalid for life, if he do not speedily cut short his days. Scarcely any young man, who has led an active life,

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